izzi blog

The official izzibag blog

Well I know that we cannot all look good in everything, this is true, but I draw the line at even trying some dresses on. I mean when I say that a dress made of shells is kind of cool I was not prepared for this!

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

I was thinking about the new season coming up and it seems according to the Emmy’s and who are we to argue with the top designers that the ‘Grecian Look’ is going to be all the rage and that brought me to my next find of the bandage dress or could it be more suited to being called the ‘Band Aid’ look, I guess we could say it’s for a Yummy Mummy!.

Band Aid or is it a Mummie?

The next dress I saw has to take the biscuit, as you know I live 34 floors up and I thought this could come in handy if the rent man comes along and it’s a day when I have just bought  another pair of Jimmy Choo’s. It is in fact a parachute although I think when I hit the ground it might leave me naked could get me in to more trouble!

Fly me to the Moon

I think the next dress has to be my kind of dress, although really this is a head dress, I mean I spend most of my day with my head in the clouds so it’s a perfect fit I guess.

It's all a bit Fuzzy

Yesterday I wore what I consider a bit of a wacky outfit, A bright yellow dress with a pair of leopard leggings and I felt that I kinda fitted in to the New York Fashion pack (I did say kinda!) and then I saw this outfit. I am not to sure about covering the face, but I am sure some would agree it’s a good thing!

Snow Leopard or Sugar Plum Fairy ?

I have to finish my daily fashion finds with the great American flag. I love Red, White & Blue but I think this could have been fitted better. I am not sure Scarlet O’Hara would have ever been the same again in ‘Gone with the Wind’ in this outfit. I think her classic line would have been fitting ‘My, I think I am having a vapour’!

Tomorrow is another Day !

Enjoy….

So this week starts like any other! what does that mean? every week in my life starts like any other but only because it starts with a Monday. I have now applied for my Mercedez Benz Press Pass for Fashion Week and no doubt it will be the usual fight to make them understand that I really deserve one and I really do write about what I go and see. Unlike a lot of other tweeters and bloggers that I could mention. Will I use the ‘Do you know who I am’? line no I don’t think so because there are so many Divas in fashion and you all know that isn’t really me, well not on a Monday.

So after the trauma of trying to understand an application form I ventured out to the office. Big mistake Huge! 93degrees and humidity like no other, I mean how do you describe that you are walking to work wearing cling film or food wrap I have no idea what the Americans call it. Fortunately I had just washed my hair and covered it in a bottle of Hydrating Creme thanks to Hair Rules and my good friend Dickey. I stress this point because otherwise I would have looked like a poodle on Crack! oh and 3 people tweeted me the answer cling film Brits in the US is called Saran Wrap, yep me, too no wiser.

Well anyway I have digressed but I am on Broadway crossing over 37th to 36th when I see parked in the street (Sorry Americans Sidewalk) this window dressers dummy dressed in a glass dress. I thought maybe she was Super Man’s girlfriend and really it was a case of Krypton.

SuperMan's girlfriend in Kryptonite

I really thought I was having sun stroke when I then noticed there was yet another dummy on the street (Sidewalk) and she had a Concrete Brick Dress… that literally takes the biscuit! I mean who can walk in a Brick Dress ?

IS this taking the Biscuit, wearing a House Brick

I am really needing to lay down in a dark room and I really believe that maybe I will be walking myself into the Betty Ford Clinic and saying ‘I give up, help me’ when I walk into Tiger Woods, I mean tell me who walks around New York with his gold clubs? Only Tiger Woods on a mission to find a hole in one! or a man hired by the mafia to take someone out right?

Mom's lock up your daughters Tiger is on the loose

You see I am definitely going to have to call a friend or go 50 - 50 on this one (Americans this is a TV show who wants to be a Millionaire!) me Me ME oh sorry the heat has really finished me off. Is it only 9am, umm therefore no way I can ask the intern to get me a glass of Chardonnay then!

I actually went home at lunchtime and thought it best to work from home in the afternoon because the office really did not believe the morning I had had. For those of you who really do not believe all I say (Actually does anyone anymore?) here is proof that I do work on the balcony.

Working Girl

As the day cooled down I went to meet two New York tweeters that I met of course on Twitter, @tishacakes and @bridalease and we had a couple of cocktails and I told them about my day. I haven’t heard from them since so not sure if they are still trying to call Betty Ford on the bar telephone but Tisha left me with two very lovely birthday cakes, one of which I devoured on the way home, so say no more. Check her out!

The Best tasting birthday cake ever

Before I go I have to tell you about today I met with Celebrity Make Up artist Gregg Hubbard and we went for lunch at the Market Cafe in Hells Kitchen. We talked all lunch and I think my salad even turned warm, he is such a doll and re told me so many secret stories that had me laughing out loud in the restaurant. Especially the one about the celebrity who chased a burglar whilst butt naked over two 10foot walls… Who was that? well that is my secret.

Just because I am worth it he left me with this little goodie bag from Bobbi Brown. Gregg I love you but what do I do with the Bonfire Palette?.

I just love Bobbi Brown

It seems everyday now I am reinventing something about myself. I am not sure is this the effect New York has on people or is it just me? well I have been on holiday since I last posted a blog story, I think perhaps I should keep that episode for another day. So this week I met with my good friend Dickey from Hair Rules, his salon is on 54th & 9th and if you live in New York you must visit them. Someone needs to have a word with him about the goatie he has hanging from his chin!

I feel really privileged  to know Dickey he has styled Michelle Obama’s hair, Estelle, SJP and now me!

First Style With Dickey

Well this week we were going to a really big Fashion event in Bryant Park called ‘Picnic in the Park’ with the Accessories Council. They had sent out to various designers a picnic basket and asked them to fill it with goodies. I was so impressed with some of the baskets, by Kate Spade, Nine West, Hair Rules and my good friends at JW Maximal Art who had only put one thing in the basket, but of course it was a Tiara fit for a Princess…. well that would be me then!

John Wind from JW Maximal Art with a Princess

Slightly suntanned looking I felt that my new Body Con dress did not look too bad especially as it was cream, what do you think?

Anyway I bid on lots of the baskets as all the designers had nominated a charity for the monies raised to go to. I thought that was great as they were all different and therefore lots of charities would get something. Unfortunately I did not bid enough on any of the baskets but it was a great evening and a great cause.

Here is a lovely picture with izzi and I think it is the first time I have looked at a piccie and felt we look totally healthy and relaxed in a while. (Shame I did not move my arm so you could see my Ostrich Skin Tigi Bag)

Anne Agoren & izzi

The week just became busier and I got a little sad as our intern Casey left us on Friday I am truly not sure what we will do without her sense of humour and willingness to do anything we needed. She told the whole office every single day where the sample sales were going to be and believe me the office was normally deserted about ten minutes after her shout outs! I can’t count the times that she ran errands in the rain and the sweltering heat and I will sadly miss her but she is going back to Penn State to finish her schooling and I wish her every success in all she does. Clearly this picture was taken outside of the office - noted by the glasses on the table, water it was only water honestly! I know that because here in New York it is really not on to order a glass of wine at lunch time and a bottle is unheard of. I am sure the Americans think we Brits are total lushes. Well I am here to tell you that it is not true, well not on a day with a Y in it, the other days they do not count. I have no idea who the other person in the picture is! of course I do that is Debs everyone’s girl Friday, she is a total Gem.

Casey's last day at the office

Then of course it was off to the event of the weekend at Dickey’s, my hair stylist, sounds great to say that, he is a great friend actually and always tells me when my hair looks dreadful and how to put it right.  In fact on Saturday I did not have time to get to him before his BLOG HER event as I was busy working. I jumped into the shower using Hair Rules daily cleansing cream, followed by quench ultra rich conditioner and the curly whip. As I ran out of the door after trying to fight izzi to get in front of the bathroom mirror I ran some hydrating cream into my almost dry hair and this below is the result. Dickey said I look so much younger with curly hair ummmm.

Anne & Dickey

Sunday came and went far to quickly for me but that was taken up with all those horrid chores I hate doing as well as spending time on some much needed catching up of paper work. Have a great week and remember that some days are so worth the make up…

I was so excited to be invited to the opening of the WellNEST Store in Sag Harbor (Aka The Hamptons ooo La La) izzi and I were suffering jet lag but I would not miss this party. Rachel Paletsky and Richard Ash MD had invited us and we wanted to be there. You probably remember that Richard Ash is my DOC and has really got me on the road to a healthier lifestyle. I have been eating just as much food but have managed to loose weight by eating a proper balanced diet, together with actually taking vitamins. Anyway I am digressing but just wanted to point out how I knew these lovely people.

Anne & izzi from izzi bag

We met some great people at the party, Jason Binn from Niche Media, Fred Devito from Core Fusion,  Donna D’Cruz (DJ) John Melfi the Producer of SATC, who spent ages swapping stories with me. I told him about the time I went to Buckingham Palace and met the Duke of Edinburgh and what he said to me Shush it’s a secret, you are not supposed to tell the world what the Royals say to you, it is seen as very undignified!

Anne with Richard Ash & Donna D'Cruz,

The Rain came and went and everyone still turned out to wish the WellNEST Store well, I drank far to much of the Organic Avenue Coconut Milk (I was driving) and izzi drank far too much Champagne (Say no More) but we had a lovely time and I want to live in Sag Harbor now.

Donna D'Cruz & Anne

I wish my good friends every success with their new business venture and I look forward to seeing just how much weight I loose on my diet plan. Did I mention that Doc has developed a new wholesome meal replacement ? 5 hours of satisfaction and sustained energy. Each serving provides potent protein, whole nutrients and beneficial fiber, it is called Nutritious & Delicious. I can honestly say I wish I had this when I was travelling on that dreadful airline last week. So needless to say I shall be taking the powder with me wherever I travel.

So before I post this blog I am actually about to shout from my balcony that yes finally I am having a vacation (Holiday) I am going to be very old next week and izzi is taking me to St Maarten. Our first holiday in 2 years and I am staying in a hotel on the beach. I really cannot wait and I promise to post pictures of the trip. So no mentions of my birthday in the comments please, it’s one to be forgotten as quickly as possible!

Well I am not a happy bunny today I really am not, Why? well I am going to tell you even if you don’t want to know. Since I came to New York I have bargain hunted constantly for those Michael Kors dresses, shoes and trousers, I have angled my way through so many aisles looking for my shoes that I just have to have. I have even come to blows almost with izzi when he accuses me of buying something new every other day, it’s not true the shopping fairy delivered them when I was asleep and what is more important they were left there for free right girls?

Only  you and I both know that when it comes to shopping a girl has to have what a girl has to have. Well my secret is out the New York Post advertised her allover the place yesterday. Victoria Nielsen personal shopper at Loehmanns, there I have said it. Vick is my right hand lady when it comes to shopping, if there is a bargain to be had she is the one with the key. Vick calls me at stupid o’clock in the morning to tell me there is a Jean Paul Gautier Cashmere coat, my size (Not that this point is important mind) to be had and it will be gone if I get there after an hour! I have purchased Jimmy Choos at a fraction of the retail cost in Loehmanns all because of Victoria. So now you all know about her I thought to add insult to injury I would show you who she is.

personal shopper Victoria Nielsen at Loehmann's

Victoria is located on the 3rd Floor in her own office and you do need to make an appointment prior to visiting her. I seriously hope you all go and visit because she is the Queen of the show and really one of the great friends I met through Twitter.

Robert Verdi & Anne from izzi bag

Robert Verdi held a twitter party to discuss hot topics for Mother’s Day recently in New York and invited izzibag along to review his chosen gifts. I get really confused because of course in the UK Mother’s Day is in March, in the USA it is in May and in Turkey it is in August, I guess if I was really clever I could be in all three countries in those months and then I get 3 gifts and three cards. I could be like the Queen with her 3 birthdays, ok ok i realise that is not quite the same thing.

So the gifts that were my favorites are these, starting with the Brelli, made from 100% bio-degradable parts and is not only Uber stylish but it’s good for the earth too. Made from Bamboo, cotton and clear plastic. I have stopped traffic in New York since I got this and it comes in a lovely carry holdall too. My husband says I look like  a Ninja Turtle carrying it, but believe me it keeps me dry.

The brelli bio - degradable umbrella

Of course every girl needs a tote bag for shopping, now normally I would only talk about izzi bag’s as you know but I have to tell you that this bag by Marimekko for Avon is a little hard to ignore. 100% of the net profits from the sales will go to Avon’s breast cancer crusade and that means a lot to me. So go check them out and on this occasion and this one only I am allowing you to buy another label hahahaha.

Marimekko & Avon's Breast Cancer Crusade Tote

Now here is an accessory that I can endorse wholeheartedly a clipa, this is a handbag hanger and will extend the life of your handbag, preserving the bottom from the horrid grubby floors of restaurants and pavements. The clipa comes in over a dozen finishes and can be clipped onto the handle of your handbag so that you never have to rummage through your bag to find it.They are really sturdy and designed to hold the heaviest of handbags.

The Clipa Handbag Hanger

I have to say that the gifts that Robert had chosen to talk about were all really lovely and Karen and Debbie from the Accessories council were very busy with me tweeting away about them all during the evening.

Karen & Debbie from the Accessories Council with izzi bag

I was quite sad when the evening was over, as you all know I love tweeting and I had a great evening with Robert Verdi, I hope that we gave all the tweeter followers around the world an idea for their mom’s gift if they were stuck.I look forward to the next one, I hope it is for Father’s day my husband will be pleased!!

Well since I last posted on my blog so much has happened, where shall I start ?. I went to London and cleaned up my apartment, sorted my new collection, visited retailers and family. I had the worst jetlag ever again and I am starting to think maybe I am too old for this commuting business. The good news is that my eldest son is having a baby, well obviously he is not having the baby my daughter in law is. I can now tell you that we had been worrying for over two months that the baby was going to be Downs Syndrome but we found out over Easter it is all OK… yippee doo. The fact that we know it is going to be a boy is actually irrelevant I am just happy he is going to be healthy. I of course am not sure what he will look like in the pretty pink dresses I had already bought for him…

So what else has happended well I gave a talk for the Accessories Council on Social Media for 60 of their members and it was really interesting and I hope they all enjoyed it and found it of use. We had a lot of people contact us since so I guess that is a good sign. I was so nervous but it went OK.

Izzi decided I need an iPad, why exactly he thought that I have no idea but off we went to the Apple Store and spent 2 hours waiting in line to even try one. He was really taken with it although I was not so happy to be touching it with all those other finger prints on it (Yuk!).  Needless to say we had to have one, again my question was why do I need one and since having taken it out of the box all by myself I have not seen it since. So did I miss understand he bought me an iPad or did he just buy it for himself ? ummmm well see for yourself and you decide!

iPad for me or for you ?

So to breakfast izzi decided that it should be pancakes, oh dear I am putting on so much weight I really have to stop eating them but I love them and it is so difficult to say NO !! I really have to remember that they are really for Shrove Tuesday only especially when saturated in Maple Syrup at 250 calories a spoonful. I think at this point I have to make up with my diet, what do you think ?

Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday or just anyday?

I was feeling a bit under the weather at the weekend and have no explanation as to why or really what was wrong with me. Sometimes we just get days like that and regardless of  whatever else is going on around you, like the fact that a Volcano has just erupted in Europe and noone can fly anywhere or that most of the world is covered in Ash is not important right then. Obviously I know that it is important and so many things around the world are being harmed by it, but I was just having one of those days and izzi went out to get something from the store (Probably more pancakes I was thinking) and came back with these beautiful Roses for me. Am I a lucky girl or am I a lucky girl?

Roses are Red or Pink or Yellow, no matter Roses are Roses !

To finish off my week I will talk just about Food again so look what I brought back from Europe! if you need a chocolate hit feel free to stop by our house anytime and help yourself. Where so we live ? that is really easy we live in the building right near the Empire State Building. You know the one with the huge flashing handbag on to the top!

Easter Chocolate

Have a great week and if you remember only one thing about me today know that I realise how lucky I am to be in the sunshine, loved by a fabulous hubby and not covered in ASH !

I was astounded to see just how much St Patrick’s Day means to the Irish in New York, forgive my ignorance, but it was amazing there were street parades and every bar in town was Green to the point of overkill!! But it was electric to see and really an emotional time, I felt really honored to be in the city and I have to say this picture below was the best thing I saw and was the icing on the cake (Excuse the Pun)

Empire State Building on St Patricks Day

And so where has izzi bag been in the last few weeks, it has been an amazing ride and adventure which I shall remember for the rest of my life. I have met some amazing people. I have been very priviliaged to become a member of the Accessories Council they have been an inspiration to me and helped in so many ways. Karen and Deborah have hooked me up with QVC and we are now in discussions about izzi bags being shown on their channel which will be fantastic.

Of course as you all know my life revolves around food and my poor husband the Gorg izzi has to endure so many things. Feel sorry for him, as he is the world’s most awesome chef, I could never match him but I try. So here it is folks the one and only Anne’s famous Korma.

izzi eating or enduring Anne's Korma

and because I can see he was actually hiding the curry I thought of showing you what it really looked like, if I say so myself I think it looked passable more so than some of the curries I have ever eaten from the grubby Taj in SOHO, London.

Anne's Korma yummie dooo

Well London we are here for Easter and catching up with our family and seeing my son and his girlfriend’s scan of my grandchild, which is going to be so exciting. I am also so looking forward to seeing the first glimpse of the Sunday Night program that we taped two weeks ago. Seems like forever ago now but it will be such fun to see the finished article and let’s hope those camera men made me look thin and 10 years younger!! Send them to the Tower and Oft with their head’s if not.

I actually did a presentation to a board of directors as well about the necessity of social media in their business which was quite daunting but such great fun and am looking forward to the next one on the 13th April. If you are in New York and would like to attend please just let me know.

Well I think the izzi crew are packing for the trip back to Greenwich Village UK rather than New York so keep abreast of future adventures here at izzi Ville.

Before I go did I mention the new iPAD carry case that we have coming out, umm maybe I forgot that bit!

This past week has been all go for me, I spent two days filming the Sunday Night program for Australian TV (Channel Seven) which I think is being aired this weekend, so excited. Izzi took lots of pictures of the filming, here is one of me having make up put on at Henri Bendel’s with a lady called Anne Claire , which is so bizarre as that is my name.

Make up in Henri Bendel's before opening

It was a great experience to be in Henri Bendel’s before opeing time. The poor security man had to open and close the door quite a few times before we got the right shot. Oh listen to me I sound like a total pro, as if I knew what we were looking for. Here is a shot of Mark the camera Man and I whilst he is telling me for the 100th time which way to walk in, obviously I didn’t get it the first 99 times, or maybe I just wanted to feel like a film star, I leave you to decide.

Mark the Man

Well then we stopped for a break and a dry out I had made Croissants for breakfast, Ok Ok I know they do not look to large, but they were mini ones and I am  not totally sure what happened, think they were a total failure although noone said so I just got the feeling.

Breakfast home made croissants!

After the filming was over we came back home and stayed inside the rest of the day, it was wild outside. We went to see the Hurt Locker later on in the evening and this was a really emotional film as it is a bit too real. If you did not go and see it yet, GO ! I can understand why it won so many Oscar’s but I have to say in all fairness I would definately pay to see AVATAR again.

So Sunday was taken up in the rain with going to the Big Antique Fair (Umm well the title is debatable) as I have to say Antiques as we British know have to be more than 100 years old not from last week. But we had a great time with two lovely friends Ricky and William. Well after the Newtiques Fair we went to China Town and had the worst Chinese food I have eaten since errr the last time. But all was forgiven when we went to the Italian Deli for New York Cheese Cake and Hot Chocolate. We laughed all day and that was the main thing. Except for the bit when Ricky was looking at a 4 carat diamond ring for $3600 and when I put my coat on the Vendor’s counter he threw  a strop and told me to get my coat off the glass as other customers would not be able to see his wares! Yeah right as if there were people queueing to buy diamond rings at an Newtique Fair, but  I took my Jean Paul Gautier coat right off his glass counter and walked off leaving him totally fish mouthed., dragging Ricky behind me. My husband then followed along with William telling him shame that he was so rude as we were really interested! (NOT)

So this morning having realised that my sons had not called their mother to Wish her Happy Mother’s Day yesterday, did I mention that earlier, no probably not as it was a bit of a sore point yesterday! (The eldest one not included in that) Anyway let’s move on, my lovely husband got up early and made me a Pizza for breakfast!? I know please do not ask the reasoning just be grateful he made me breakfast !

Pizza For Breakfast anyone?

So what is there left to say about the weekend after that? Not a lot so I won’t

Have a great week and more adventures to come this week without a doubt.